Ameren Illinois is embracing electric vehicles in its fleet
MARYVILLE — While some people may not think of electric utilities for a fleet of electric vehicles (EVs), it makes sense to make the connection.
A visit to the Ameren Illinois operations center here last week showed the company has electric vehicles and a compressed natural gas station for employee use.
Maryville and Peoria are home to Ameren operations centers, which also provide on-site support for some of the company’s vendors, said Elizabeth Daiber, Ameren Illinois fleet supervisor. She added that there are four mechanics working in Maryville.
One of the company’s newest vehicles to get electrified are the line trucks used by line workers in the field. Craig Isaac, a line worker, talked about how a jobsite energy management system (JEMS) works.
He’s been using an electric version of a Ford F-550 medium-duty truck for a few weeks. The boom and outriggers on the truck in this example are battery powered, not powered by the truck’s diesel engine, which remains off while the truck is parked.
“The biggest difference is that he’s quiet,” Isaac said. Besides less noise, the electric truck means employees won’t have to shout as much to communicate while making repairs in the field.
Achieving successes
Write madison ameren illinois company
EV4 15
Plug-in hybrid 5 51
Compressed natural gas 16 35
Electric battery
Fork trucks 248
Daiber said they have 25 trucks of this type and 10 Rivian electric pickup trucks. They just purchased a Ford EV pickup, Lightning, with another one planned in the future.
She said there are 15 electric vehicles in Maryville. Utility officials use electric vehicles for company transportation and for business visits, she said.
Mike Apa, director of business development, said that while hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) vehicles are on the company’s radar, there is no infrastructure to support them yet; Ameren has already built a compressed natural gas (CNG) station in one part of its facility here for some of its fleet.
The company’s all-electric cars have made its employees such believers that dozens of them now have electric cars at home, including Apa, who bought a Chevrolet Bolt EV.
“You don’t have to worry about any gas stations,” he said. He lives in the Marion area and commutes to Maryville several times a week. He said a 240-volt fast charger was installed at his home, allowing him to recharge the car in eight hours, or 25 miles of range per hour, versus 30 hours with a standard 110 or 120-volt charger.
“You can leave every morning fully charged,” he said.
The preferred shipping time is 11pm-7am, which Mike said is better for the customer (off-peak rates), better for Ameren and better for the network.
Encouraging electric vehicles
About 2,000 Ameren Illinois customers have taken advantage of a program that gives them a discount on off-peak electricity rates after purchasing an electric vehicle, said Victoria Posey, director of electric customer engagement.
“If customers want to learn more about it or compare EVs and (internal combustion engines) with internal combustion engines, they can visit www.amerenillinois.com/ev,” she said.
Ameren has a variety of programs approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission in March. Through extension allowances, rebates and time-based fares, the approved plan includes the adoption of school buses and transit, and fleet electrification; Public charging facilities in places where customers live, work, play and travel; Community participation in developing and implementing electric transportation plans.
Aba said school buses are the ideal platform for electrification. Battery packs form the foundation of the platform, and the switch from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive eliminates the long driveshaft to the rear wheels. This allows the bus body to be lower for better ride and control.
In addition to identifying external grants to offset procurement costs, Ameren provided technical support. There are five electric school buses in its service area and more than 50 additional electric buses on the way this year and next, thanks to the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Program due in late 2022.
The second round of applications for the EPA’s electric school bus grant was completed last month. Triad Schools, for example, has two EV buses.
A look inside
SJ Morrison, executive director of Madison County Transit (MCT), said the company has a separate plan.
“MCT has engaged a consultant to conduct a low or zero emissions transition plan for our fleet,” he said. “Although we do not have the final report yet, the consultant has evaluated battery-powered vehicles as well as hydrogen fuel cells.
“As you might imagine, there will be pros and cons to all the alternatives as well as significant costs to making this transition.”
Apa took a reporter and coworkers for a ride in a Rivian R1T pickup, made at the former Mitsubishi plant in Bloomington-Normal. The group followed a loop route of Illinois Route 159 north, Illinois Route 162 east and south, then west on Interstate 55 and finally northbound on Route 159 to return to the operations center in Maryville.
The interior of the truck is much quieter than any ICE vehicle. Only isolated wind and road noise intruded into the cabin. Conversations can be carried out easily in the cabin, even from the rear seats to the front seats.
Ameren has pledged to electrify its fleet of light vehicles by 2030. Its medium and heavy vehicles will also be electrified as technology allows. Driving Clean Illinois is a state EPA grant program developed to distribute funding for several types of diesel emissions reduction projects.
For 2024, Ameren is planning more programs – for schools and transportation; fleets; Merchants. public charging stations; And low-income clients.
